Washington’s push on the recruiting trail has picked up under Jedd Fisch, but the Huskies just took a hit in the Class of 2028 chase.
Five-star edge rusher Jalanie George, one of the top blue-chip names in the cycle, has chosen Wisconsin over Washington. George, who attends Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Ariz., had been trending toward the Huskies earlier this summer before the Badgers made a late surge and pulled him back into their mix.
That swing became real after Wisconsin hosted George on an official visit in September. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound prospect moved into the Badgers’ final four, and the prediction momentum shifted from Washington to Wisconsin soon after.
The loss stings a bit more because Washington had reason to feel good about where its recruiting stood. The Huskies’ Class of 2026 checked in at No. 12 nationally, the highest ranking in program history, and the 2027 class is sitting at No. 23 in the 247Sports composite.
George also had some familiar ties in the recruiting picture. Washington already has commitments from Desert Edge quarterback Blake Roskopf, a four-star, and wide receiver Zerek Sidney, a three-star. Wisconsin’s side of that same pipeline includes four-star defensive lineman Yahzeen Zion and three-star linebacker Nathan Jones, while another Desert Edge alum, linebacker Jon Jon Kamara, is already on the Badgers roster.
Now the focus for Washington shifts elsewhere in Arizona, with Landen Wade emerging as the next edge-rusher target on the Huskies’ board. Wade attends Basha High School in Chandler, Ariz., and is listed at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.
Per the 247Sports composite, Wade is the 20th-best player in the class, the fifth-best edge rusher and the second-best player in Arizona. Rivals Industry rankings place him at No. 25 overall, fourth among edge rushers and third in the state. Washington offered him on May 14.
Wade is still sorting through a wide field of options, and Oregon is currently the early leader in On3’s prediction model at 25.8%.
In Other News...
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Jaiden Maiava has given USC a capable presence at quarterback, and the skill talent around him remains part of the appeal, but the Trojans have not been able to convert that into the kind of complete team that holds up through the grind of conference play. Recent losses have only sharpened the scrutiny on Rileys standing, which makes this trip north feel less like another Pac-12 test and more like a moment that could shape the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
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There is also a little more uncertainty around USCs lineup than a ranked team would prefer heading into a matchup of this size. The injury picture has been part of the buildup all week, and one of the more notable names to watch is defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart, who is listed as questionable, adding another layer to a game already carrying plenty of attention in the betting market and on national TV. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Can Make USC Earn Every Bit Of This Spread
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The bigger issue for USC may be whether its own defense can hold up on the road after a loss to Oregon exposed some cracks. The Trojans are favored by 9.5 points, but they have not been reliable against the number this season, and Washington is the kind of opponent that can turn a comfortable line into a messy afternoon if the game stays close deep into the second half. [Read more 🡒]